Machine for making tubes from hollow ingots



(No Model.) 3 Sheets- Sheet 1.

S. P. M. TASKER.

MACHINE Fon MAKING TUBES FROM HOLLOW INGOTS.

No. 331,581. Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

WITNESSES: d

(No Modem 3 sheetssheet 2.

S. P. M. TASKER.

MAGHINE PoR MAKING TUBES PROM HOLLOW INGoIs.

No. 331,581. Patented Der). 1, 1885.

. Y @QywgolNvENTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

` y s. P. M. TAUSKER. y l MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES FROM HOLLOW INGOTS. No. 331,581.

(No Model.)

Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

IN LNTOR i 1 UNITED STATES "1);1r11EN-r OEEICE.

STEPHEN P. M. TASKER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES FROM HOLLOW INGOTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part oi" Letters Patent N0. 331,581, dated December 1, 1885. Application iiled July 22, 1885. Serial No. 172,2?9. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, STEPHEN P. M. TAsKER, a citizen'of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improve ments iu Machines for Making Tubes from Hollow Metal Ingots and for Reducing Tubes or Rods, of which the following is a specification.

Apart from the intended employment ci iny machine for reducing and also for straighten ing tubes and rods, the object of my invention is the manufacture of a tube from a hollow cylindriforin metal ingot by rolling, either hot or cold by means of the machine hereinafter described, the said ingot down and out upon a mandrel at least of the required length ofthe tube to be formed, thereby conipacting and consolidating the substance ofthe metal of the ingot, thinning or reducing the latter-in thickness and elongating it until the required proportions are attained. The ingots which I employ are tubular or of a hollow cylindrifornl structure, of any metal, and either open at both ends, closed at one end, or closed at one end and provided through such closed end with ari-aperture for the traction-rod of a mandrel. As myinachine is of especial applicability to the making of steel tubes, I contemplate also the employment of a Steelcast ingot of a characterinvented by me, two applications `for patents for which were filed in the United States Patent Office upon the 14th day of May, 1885, and respectively numbered 165,695 and 165, 696.

y Heretofore in the art of metal-rolling two or more pairs or sets of equal-sized concavefaced rolls, the two rolls constituting the respective sets or pairs of which being placed the one over the other, have crossed each other-that is to say, have been adjusted in such manner kthat vertical planes respectively projected or in a direction much more nearly right angular to than parallel with the longitudinal axis of each individual roll of each pair. Heretofore, also, in the art of metal-rolling two or three equal-sized rolls having concave wor ing-faces have been arranged in a suitable housing obliquely side by side or one over the other, or spirally, as it were, around a common central imaginary longitudinal axis of the set, so that the axes of the respectiveV rolls forming such set have been inclined to each other in different planes, and each and all at an angle to the said common longitudinal axis, which is that ofV the article to be rolled, the said article having been introduced through a pass extending longitudinally between or through, so to speak, the rolls, (which pass, as is Well known, is an extended straight bearing obtained between the rollfaces in a line bisecting the angle of inclination of the rolls,) and the said machine as such having been employed for rolling, inishing, reducing, straightening, and smoothing rods,-

tubes, shafting, aud other cylindrical or tubular articles, Which receive a spiral or cornbined rotary and progressive inovenient from the rolls, which all revolve in the saniedirection, and not only form the article to a true cylindrical shape, but at the saine time feed it forward.`

I ain not aware that sets of rolls arranged in the foregoing manner have been arranged in series.v i y y 4Assuming aset of rolls of the character lastabove described as a given type, I may assume a setof rolls of the character iirst above de scribedas another given type, and may deiine the .distinguishing characteristic ofthe tWo types to be the direction in which the article to be rolled is passed 4through the set of rolls-- that Ais to say, `Whether it be passed through them in a directionright angular to what We may term their common axis, as in the case of the rolls Erst-described, or parallel or coincident with said common axis, as in the case of the rolls last-above described. p i'have discovered that a superior merchantv able' tube of v metal, but especially that a steel tube, can be` economically and successfully manufactured either from a tubular metal ingot, or especially from a hollow steel cast inget, and also that a tube or rod of metal can IOO ` be successfully reduced in diameter or straightened by the employment of a machine consisting of a series of sets of concave-faced rolls, the rolls of each of which sets are a series composed of three or more rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbor, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, and in passing over the surface of the tube or rod hug it like a swage and touch it at every part, the reducing passes of which sets are successively smaller, the rolls of which sets may, if desired. be successively arranged so as to break joints and thereby act upon every portion of the surface of the article to be rolled, and all of which rolls are idler-rolls and are adapted to be revolved in opposite directions by the friction of the article passed through them.

In employing the foregoing machine forl makingtubes from ingots a mandrel adapted to be rotated with the ingot upon it, and at least of the required lengthof the tube to be formed from said ingot, is passed through the passes of the sets in a direction right angular to their common face plane or axis, as I are attained. A rod or tube to be reduced or.

straightened is also passed through in a similar direction.

Apparatus embodying a good form of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, and described in this specification,

the particular subject-matter claimed as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a face elevational end View of a set of'rolls embodying my invention and composed of a series of three similarly-inclined overlapping rolls of the character hereinafter described, sight being taken in a direction right angular to the common'face plane or axis of the set. The View is in the nature of afragmentary detail, but part of two ofthe rolls being shown. The view also represents in section, not, however, to exactly correct proportions and curvatures, the two opposite segmental framingpiates, in connection with which the roll,which is shown completed, is housed, together with boxings for the journals of the said roll and an adjusting-arm connected with one of said boxings. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a-n ap paratus embodying my invention and composed of a series of two sets of rolls, each of which sets is composed of three rolls, and is of the character represented in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal side sectional elevation through the apparatus of Fig. 2, one of the rolls of each set, however, not being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view lof one of the sets of rolls represented in Figs. 2 and 3, sight being, however, taken from the opposite side from that from which sight in 2 is taken, and the set represented being the first set of rolls or that the rolls of which are lettered D. Fig. 5 is afragmentary partially sectional partially elevational detail of a rotatable mandrel which I iind it convenient to employ when employing my machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots. I

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A represents any suitable bed or foundation for supporting the housings within which the rolls are journaled.

T is a tube, the direction ot' movement of which is represented by the arrow in the drawings.

In the drawings no representation is made of any means for handling or, if desired, for oc-` casioning the advance or retraction of the tube, for the reason that I assume such representa.- tion tobe unnecessary, as any device for manipulating the tube into the passes of the rolls is adapted for employment. Some such device is, however, to be employed.

B B are a series of transverse Vertical standards, between which are disposed frame-plates G, for supporting the boxings or bearings or .the journals oraxles of the rolls, and which in the region of their support of said bearings or journals are conveniently curved, so as to be of suitable segmental form to facilitate a movement of the boxings or journals of the rolls for the adjustment of said rolls.

In the form of apparatus shown, in which there are three rolls to the set, there are conveniently six Aframe-plates between each pair of standards, the frame-plates and standards together constituting simply a framing for the support of the rolls. The housings in the forni of apparatus shown in the drawings-and it is to be borne in mind that the series of sets may contain a greater number of sets of rolls than two-support two successively-placed sets of rolls having a series composed of three rolls to a set, the rolls of the rst of which sets are marked D,and the rolls of the second of which sets E. The passes of the successive sets are successively ofsmaller diameter. This is conveniently eftectuated in the following manner: The three rolls of each set are relatively of the same size, but the concave working-surfaces of the two rolls of the second set are more filled in, so to speak, than the working-surfaces of the rolls of the first set-that is to say,

the diameter of the central portions of thev rolls of the second set is greater than that of the rolls of the rst set, so that the-normal pass of the second set is diametrically smaller than the normal pass of the iirst set. This normal relation of diminishing passes is to be preserved, whatever number of sets of rolls happens to be employed. The rolls of each set are respectively inclined at an angle to each other, (it being preferable that the angle should be as slight as possible),so that the axis of each roll is inclined with Arespect to the axis of the adjoining rolls, and the axis of each roll IIOv possesses an inclination corresponding to that of the axis of every other roll. The rolls, therefore, may be `said to similarly overlap.

v Their relative positions,from which there can beno departure except by mutual adjustment, are fully represented in Fig.1 of the drawings.

1 The journaling or mounting of the rolls of each set, and the means for adjusting the rolls of each set are, preferably, precisely similar throughout any number of sets which may be employed. I will,therefore,describe the same 'with reference to but one set of rolls-viz.,the

first. Each roll is, as stated, concave as toits central portion or acting face, to which face or portion the letters D are in Fig. 1 shown` applied. Y Each roll is on each end beyond its central-portion prolonged, 4and the prolongations together constituting shafts of the rolly are composed of conical portions d" andcy-v lindricalportions d2. Beyond the said cylindrical portionseach roll is provided with journals-or axles dx, all as clearly represented in said'Fig. l. v

In the second set ot' rolls the letters e e2 cx, respectively designate the conical portions,

the cylindrical portions, and the journals of the rollsE of said second set. The journals are'conven'iently incased in boXings F, which are-mounted so as to havea movement in slots orways G, formed in the frame-plates of the housing.l If desired, the boXings can be dispensed with and the journals b e simply I preferhowever,

entered within said slots. to employ boxings. The curvature of the segmental portions of the frame-plates is similar as to all the plates, and struck from a radius equal to one-half of the length ofeach roll, so

that the length of each roll between its frameplates is conveniently equal to a diametric line between two opposite'frame-plates,which support a given roll. are so vmounted that their conical portions respectively face, as represented in Fig. l.

In order convenientlyto effectuate the movement of the rolls so as to slightly alter their relative angular disposition, and thereby enlarge or contract the diametric extent of the pass formed between them, I have connected with each boxing or with the axles of the rolls an adjusting-arm, II, which is conven-i iently passed through a slotted flange, I, erected from or connected with a frame-plate, the

` said arm being threaded and provided with ylock-nuts i, whereby :the yarm, and consequently the boxings and the journals of the f rolls, can be locked in predetermined adjusted positions.

Inthe drawings, for clearness of illustration I have represented the adjusting-arms as applied to but one end of each roll. It is, however, to be understood that they are applied to each journal or boxing of each end of each roll.

` By virtueof the slots or ways in the said metal frame-plates and the adj listing-arms, the movement of the rolls of each set for increasing or Idiminishing the ydiameters of their passes becomes both certain and easy.` The'slots or The rolls of each set ways in opposite frame-plates are disposed at -a slight angle to each other so as to facilitate the movement of the rolls in adjustment.

A suitable arrangement or disposition of the frame-plates and the slots therein is represented in the drawings.

The slots or ways for the journals of the rolls and the nut-provided adjusting-arms connected with the vaxle-boxings in said ways,

together constitute simply a composite roll-A adj Listing contrivance, the ofiice of which is toV permit of and render easy the adjustment of any given set or of all the sets of rolls at different relative angles, so that the rolls may approach more closely together or separate so as to increase or diminish the diametriceX- tent oi' the passes between them and adapt them for employment with tubes or rods of varyingA diameters.

Any other adjusting device 0peratiug to a similar result may, however, be

4substituted in the stead of the foregoing.

When aXle-boXings are not employed, means j for retaining the journals of the rolls in fixed positions must be applied'direct to the journals. f The tube, rod, or other article which is passed through the rolls actuates them, and israpidly and evenly reduced, the whole rolling surface of each roll bearing upon the said tube,

1 touching it at every part, rolling out inequalities and causing itto take on a spiral progressive motion in its passage through the 'machina Vhen' my machine is employed for making Atubes by using in connection with it a manldrel, I, at least as long as the tube to be formed, the said mandrel is conveniently ladapted to be rotated by being swiveled iu a mandrel-head, Q, Fig. 5, which is actuated to axis, and ofthe length of the tube which isV to be produced in conjunction with a series of sets ot' three or more correspondingly angularly disposed or overlapping concave -iaced idler-rolls having by sets successively diminishing passes, by which arrangement it is possible to reduce the external diameter of an ingot placed upon the mandrel, and, ifdesired, by adjusting the rolls .after each pass to effect a continued reductionjuntil said-ingot becomes a tube of the desired thickness of substance and of no greater length than the mandrel.

It is of course obvious that while the housing for containing, and the means for retaining Athe adjusted rolls, which I have represented and described, are well adapted for the purpose yet that they are not essential to my invention. r'he special adjusting devices -deout the series-yet that all of the rolls of allof the sets may, if desired, be of the same diameter, and the successively diminishing di.

ameters of the passes be secured simply by the adjustment of the rolls of each succeeding set of rolls.

The spiral or revolving progressive motion to which an ingot on a mandrel and with itz the mandrel to which it for thetime being adheres, or t-o which a tube or rod under process of reduction is subjected, prevents nning or irregularities of any kind,and therefore tends to produce a uniformly cylindric and very marketable product.

When a mandrel is employed, it maybe eX- tracted from the tube after rolling by stretching the tube by loosening the mandrel, and by extracting the latter by any suitable means.

It is obvious that my machine is to be contradistinguished from a machine of the class hereinbefore referred to in which two or three equal-sized rolls having concave workingfaces have been arranged in asuitable housing obliquely side by side, or one over the other, or spirally, as it were, around a common central imaginary longitudinal axis of the set, and in which the pass of the set is extended longitudinally between or through, so to speak, the rolls, as in machines of the foregoing class, the bearings being only, as to each roll, upon a line, and each roll revolving in the same direction, the capacity for reduction is reduced in a minimum and the machine adapted for straightening only, whereas, in my machine in which the rolls are disposed at as small an angle as possible, the rolls, as to their acting faces,completely encircle the tube and maintain it as if in a swage, instead of biting upon it in a series of longitudinal straight lines of pressure between which lines there is no contact of the rolls with the tube,

so that there is nothing to prevent the tube from spreading between the said lines of bite.

My rolls act in reducing the metal much as the rolls of ordinary rollings-mills, with, however, the advantage of a revolution being imparted to the tube so as to cause the uniform reduction and truing of its surfaces. While it is preferable that the passes of the succeeding sets should successively diminish-that is to say, diminish in strict consecution, set by set and 'without variance, omission, or alter- V nation-yet all the results whichA flow from consecutive diminution may be obtained by making, for instance, two consecutive or ad- It is, however, proper to statev joining sets of a given and the same diameter of pass, by making the two immediately succeeding consecutive or adjoining sets of a by making the two further immediately succeeding consecutiveor adjoining sets of a still lesser but of the same diameter of pass..y This arrangement, or one kindred to it-the number or series of sets of similar diameter of pass employed not being vital-is not desirable, but itis manifestly embraced within my invention, and the terms successive or gradual diminution herein employed are not to be understood as employed with literal exactness.

While I have represented and herein ldescribed each set of the rolls as being composed of a series consisting of but three rolls, it isl yet proper for me to state that I do not restrict myself vto the employment of a series consisting of but three rolls, as it will be obvious to any mechanicthat four,'ve, or even a greater number of rolls may be, under suitable 'modiiications of honsing'and means of adjustment, employed to produce the same result as that which I obtain by the use of the said three rolls. vOf course many minor changes in ,the mounting and mode of adjustment of the parts would have to be resorted to, but, as is obvious, the feature of a series of sets of. concave-faced rolls, `all of the rolls of which are arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbor, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right-angular to the common face, plane, or axis of the set, and all of which rolls are adapted to revolve in opposite directions, which is the mostimportant feature of my invention, would be preserved in any such arrangement of increased series.

I do not claim or seek herein to cover in connection with the other features of invention the provision of positive mechanism for driving the sets of rolls, as such mechanism, in connection with an apparatus of this character, is made the subject of an application which I have designated as Case C, No. 4, and executed 'and filed contemporaneously with this. .I do not, moreover, claim herein the `housing provided with the segmental framing-plates, nor, again, the roll-adjusting devices, as these features constitute the subject-matter of another application contemporaneously executed and led, and designated by me as Case C, N011. y

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metalingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series o f sets of concave-faced rolls, each of which sets consists of a series of three or more rolls arranged at an angle to each other,and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls formacireular pass,

IOS Y 7o lesser but of the same diameter of pass, and

.through which the article' u) be -roneu "is passed in a direction right angular to the comimon axis of each set, the passes'y of suchy sets diminish successively in diameter and all of 1 such rolls revolve in opposite directions,fwith suitable meansjfor advancing and retractingl the article to be rolled' through the passes of 'the series of sets in a direction `right angular of rolls,vsub f Q forth. `2. In a machine for making tubes from hol- W metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of 'a series of setsV of 1 concave-faced rolls, each of which sets consists of a series of three or more rolls arranged'at an `to the common axis of each set .stantially as set forth.

angle to `each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfacesofall the rolls form-a circular pass, y.through :which the articleftol be'rolled is passed in "a direction right angular tothe common axis of each set, the concave Working 1 r faces of the rolls ofy each succeeding set of such series are more filled in and of greater diameter than the rolls "of the set' ili'nmediately'preceding, so that the passes of the sets gradually diminish in' diameter,` and all of slich rolls revolve in opposite directions, With suitable means for advancing. and retracting the article tobe rolled through the passes of the series 'of sets in a direction rig-ht angular to the common axis of each set of rolls, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of la series of sets of concave-faced rolls, each of Which sets consists -ofl'a series of three or more rolls arranged at of rolls, substantially as set forth.

an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to berolled is passed 4in adirection 4right angular to the commonl 'axis ofthe set, the passes of such sets diminish successively in diameter, and all of such rolls revolve in opposite directions, frameplates for the journals of the rolls of each set, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of rolls is capable of an independent adjustment, and suitable means for advancing and retracting the article to be rolled through the passes of the series of sets .in a direction right angular to the common axis of each set 4. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots, or for reducing tubes orrods of metal, the combination of a series of sets of concave-faced rolls, each of which sets consists n of a series of three or more rolls arranged at means' for securing theiixed adjustment of the journals of the rolls With respect to theirframeplates, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of rolls is capable of an independent` adjustment, and suitable means -for advancingand retracting the article to beV rolled throughthe passes of the series of setsy in a direction right angular to the common axis-of each set of rolls, substantially asset 5. In a machine for mak-ing tubes from holn 10W 'metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of sets of concave-faced rolls, each of which sets consists y ofa series of three or more rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of thev set, andthe concave Working-faces of the rolls of leach succeeding set of such series" are 'more filled in and of greater diameter than the rolls of the set immediately preceding, 'so that the passes ofthe sets gradually dimin` ish-in diameter, and all of such rolls revolve in opposite directions, frame-plates for the journals of the rolls of each set, means 4for sei curing the fixed adjustment of the journals of the rolls With respect to their frame-plates, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of-rolls is capable of an independent adjustment, and suitable means for advancing and retracting the article to be rolled through the passes of the series of sets in a direction right angular to the common axis of each set of rolls, substantially as set forth.

= 6. lIn amachine for making tubes from hol- ICO low metal 'ingots, or for reducing tubes or rodsl `of metal, the combination of a series of sets of concave-faced rolls, each of which sets consists ofa series of three or more rolls arranged at an angle t0 each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the coucave surfaces of all the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, the passes of such sets diminish successively in diameter, and all of such rolls revolve in opposite directions, slot ted segmental frame-plates for the journals of the rolls of each set, adj usting-arms connected with the journals of the rolls of each set and with the framing, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of the rolls is capable of an independent adjustment, and suitable m eans for advancing and retractingthe article to be rolled through the passes of the series of sets in a direction right angular to the common axis of each set or pair of rolls, substantially as set forth. v

7. In a machine for making tubes from -holloW metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of sets of concave-faced rolls, each of which sets consists of a series of three or more rolls arranged IIO at an angle to each other, and each roll at a V A common angle toits neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article tol be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and the concave Workingfaces of the rolls of each succeeding set of such series are more filled in and of greater'diameter than the rolls of the set immediately preceding, so-that the passes of the sets gradually diminish in diameter, and all of such rolls revolve in opposite directions, slotted segmental frame-plates for the journals of the rolls of each set, means for securing the fixed adjustment of the journals with respect to the frame-plates, the arrangement being thereby such. that each set'of rolls is capable of an independent adjustment, and suitable means for advancing and retracting the article to be common angle to its neighbors,'so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common aXis of the set, and the concave Workingfaces of the rolls of each succeeding set of such series are more filled in and of greater diameter than the rolls of the set immediately preceding, so that the passes of the sets gradually diminish in diameter, and all of such rolls revolve in opposite directions, slotted segmental frame-plates for the journals of the rolls of 4o each set, adjusting-arms connected With the journals of the rolls of each set and with the framing, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of the rolls is capable of an independent adjustment, and of suitable means for advancing and retracting the article to be rolled through the passes of the series of sets in a direction right angular to the common axis of each set of rolls, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto signed Vmy name this 17th day of July, A. D. 1885. STEPHEN P. M. TASKER. In presence of- J. BoNsALL TAYLOR, JOHN JOLLEY, Jr.

It is hereby oertied that in Letters Patent No. 331,581, granted December .1, 1885, upon the application of Stephen l). M. Tasker, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvanie, for an improvement in Machines for Making Tubes from Hollow Ingots, errors appear in the printed speoication requiring correction, as follows: 0u page 5, in lines 3 :unl 21, the word each should read the; same page, in lines 3, 5, 22, 26, 43, 45, 64, 89, 93, 115, and 117, and on page 6,1iues 6, 10, 34, and 38, the Word such should rend whichr and that the Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein tli-.tt the saune may conform to the record of the case in the Potent Office.

Signed, countersigued, and sealed this 24th day of August, A. D. 1886.

[SEAL] D. L. HAWKINS,

' Acting Secretary of the Interior. Couutersigned:

R. B. VANOE,

Acting Commissioner' of Patents. 

